Providence Dunder & Syrup - Pure Single White Rum from Haiti
This is not just a rum - it is a signal flare. A throwback to the raw, riotous roots of distilling, and a bold step forward for Haitian craftsmanship. Providence Dunder & Syrup is a white rum, yes - but in name only. In spirit it is a full blown funk opera. Earthy, floral, smoky, and alive with old world swagger, this is agricultural punk rock from the hills of Port au Prince.
Crafted by the Distillerie de Port au Prince, a joint venture between the Linge family (of Barbancourt fame) and the Velier crew - this bottle is part of a deeper mission: to resurrect lost Haitian distilling traditions, using native cane varieties, long fermentations, and the kind of equipment most producers have abandoned. We are talking pot stills, dunder pits, and syrup - not molasses - for a rum that is as real as the soil it springs from.
The name "Dunder & Syrup" says it all. This is not just made from cane syrup - it is also fermented with dunder, the funky, flavour rich residue from previous distillations (think sour mash in bourbon or backset in Jamaican rum). It brings complexity, intensity, and depth rarely found in a white rum.
The nose is wild: fresh cane, brine, green olive, crushed flowers, lime zest, and just a hint of smoke. There is also that faint, thrilling funk - a nod to Jamaican high ester style - but gentler, more floral. Imagine Clairin meets Hampden, with a twist of citronella and wet stone.
The palate is layered: first comes bright peppery heat, then lemongrass, green banana, fennel, and dried herbs. The syrup base gives it texture - rich, unctuous, but bone dry. The dunder brings a deep umami echo, like fermented mango and smoked tea. The finish is long and mineral, with an electric acidity that tingles the lips.
This is not a rum to bury in juice - this is a bartender's dream for bold, naked builds. A Ti' Punch with Dunder & Syrup? Divine. A Daiquiri with this? It will make your limes blush. You can even stir it into a White Negroni or sip it neat, like a Clairin or unaged mezcal, if you have the palate for adventure.
This is not a rum for everyone. And that is the point. It is for the seekers. The cocktail architects. The spirit rebels. It is what you pour when someone says, "I have never tasted rum like this." Because they have not.
Providence Dunder & Syrup is Haiti's terroir, history, and hope, bottled at full volume. A brilliant, uncompromising ode to the old ways - and a bold glimpse into rum's future. If you are chasing flavour over polish, roots over routine - this is your next great love.
